Many people know about Apple’s new product: the iPad. There’s been a lot of buzz around this new product, including a lot of negative press about it. Well, here’s my two cents about the problems people keep citing with the iPad.

1. Multitasking. A lot of people are complaining that you can’t multitask with the iPad. Here’s the problem: you’re not supposed too. How many of us still don’t have enough RAM on our computer because we’re running 5 different programs and have 37 different websites open at one time? The idea of limiting the multitasking capability is, in my humble opinion, a good thing: you will be better able to focus on what you’re doing, and won’t sacrifice the speed of the device. “But I can’t listen to Pandora and write my essay at the same time,” some people whine. Then use the iPod feature and load some music, not that hard, and that is what it’s designed for. For me, simplicity is a plus.

2. No Flash. This is a good point. This has been one of the biggest annoyances with my iPhone. At least half my writing is done through websites that use Flash which means I can’t use my phone to write if I need to. And there aren’t usually app’s for me to use instead.

3. Not light? It only weigh’s about a pound and a half, and it’s far lighter than any other computer. How weak are you? Go do some curls with your Barbi and Ken weights.

4. Not easy on the eyes. This is also a valid point. The screen is not meant to be looked at for too long, as your eyes may quickly fatigue. Here’s the quick fix, don’t stare at it for too long. Look away every couple of minutes at something farther away.

5. The keyboard gives no visual cue (I kid you not). I actually read this one. Someone was stating that they missed the visual cue that the iPhone/iTouch gives when you type a letter (it gets bigger above where you touch when you hit a letter). Unlike a keyboard where you can feel the keys move, or the iPhone, the iPad doesn’t give you any cue that you typed a letter. Here’s my quick fix, look at the space where you are typing, not at your fingers. That is what you’re supposed to do anyways. You don’t look at your fingers when you type on your computer do you? I hope you’ve broken yourself of that habit.

6. No camera. Seriously, do you really want a 10 inch camera?

7. No USB, or DVD drive. This is something that Apple should have handled immediately. I anticipate there will be external versions, but it should have been handled properly to begin with.

and last, but not least:

8. The name, another valid point. It is obvious the kind of comedy that is going to come out of this name, Apple could have done better, but odds are we’d have made fun of whatever name they chose, that’s just how we are.

Overall I think it’s going to be a great product (I’m saving for mine right now). The question you have to ask is: what do you want it to do? If you want something to run your 25 different applications simultaneously, sorry. But if you’re wanting something for internet, writing, a portable computer for taking to classes, etc. I think it’ll work for most people. And here’s something to consider: if the people want it, then Apple will deliver. When the people screamed for cut and paste on their iPhone, Apple delivered. Apple has given us portable video on our iPods, the best phone on the market, great computers, and if there’s something that the people want, Apple will make it happen.

Is the iPad the perfect product? No, course none of the Apple products are. Will it be an effective new tool for our world? In my opinion, yes. God bless.